Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- A+Overall Grade
- 4 Year
- Worcester, MA
- 657 reviews
- AcademicsA
- ValueA+
- DiversityA
- CampusB
- AthleticsB-
- Party SceneB+
- ProfessorsA
- LocationB
- DormsB-
- Campus FoodC+
- Student LifeA
- SafetyB+
Athletic Division
NCAA Division III (with football)
Athletic Conference
New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference
Address
100 Institute Road
Worcester, MA 01609
Website
From Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a global leader in project-based learning and one of the nation’s first engineering and technology universities. As a research university centered on engineering, science, technology, and mathematics, WPI’s distinctive curriculum offers students opportunities to work closely with faculty and convert classroom concepts to real-world impact.
Students call WPI's project-based learning approach "life-changing" and say it prepares them for success in their careers and lives. The university’s high-caliber, rigorous curriculum lets students solve some of the world’s most pressing problems. They see how their work makes a direct and often immediate difference in local, national, and even global communities.
WPI's graduates receive some of the highest starting salaries of their peers, attend prestigious graduate schools, and ascend to leadership roles and high-income brackets over their lives.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Rankings
Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
48%
SAT Range
1310-1480
ACT Range
27-32
Application Fee
$65
SAT/ACT
Considered but not required
High School GPA
Considered but not required
Accepts Common App
Yes
Will You Get In?
Test Scores and High School GPA for Worcester Polytechnic Institute See Other Colleges
Cost
Net Price
$43,027/ year
National
$15,523Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
Average Total Aid Awarded
$19,515/ year
National
$7,535Students Receiving Financial Aid
96%
Academics
Professors
A
Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
Student Faculty Ratio
13:1
Evening Degree Programs
No
- 83%
- of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.36 responses
- 66%
- of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.41 responses
- 27%
- of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.41 responses
Majors
Most Popular Majors
Mechanical Engineering
215 GraduatesComputer Science
143 GraduatesElectrical Engineering
108 GraduatesBioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
94 GraduatesChemical Engineering
86 GraduatesRobotics and Automation Engineering
75 GraduatesMathematics
52 GraduatesBiology
49 GraduatesCivil Engineering
48 GraduatesAerospace Engineering
42 Graduates
Students
Full-Time Enrollment
4,301Undergrads
Part-Time Undergrads
134
Undergrads Over 25
1%
Pell Grant
12%
Varsity Athletes
14%
Campus Life
Freshmen Live On-Campus
97%
Poll
- 59%
- of students say that Greek life is pretty big.61 responses
Poll
- 72%
- of students say varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life.68 responses
After College
Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$84,900/ year
National
$33,028Graduation Rate
89%
National
49%Employed 2 Years After Graduation
94%
National
83%- 95%
- of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.22 responses
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Reviews
657 reviews
All Categories
Very rigorous curriculum, so keep up! Professors vary from understanding, to following everything to the book. A lot of self-teaching, but resources are available. There are tons of resources and opportunities at this school which makes you a desirable candidate for future employers. Take advantage of the different societies that are on campus, and the research opportunities on campus. And scholarships. Because they are there. Also, do not get caught up in the culture of comparison, focus on yourself, goals, and progress (and help others too) and you will succeed. Campus food, tuition, and housing are rising as WPI continue to expand and accepting more students while club funding is decreasing. On campus housing isn't guaranteed so live off campus when possible. College city, easy to get around on foot.
Much of information/reviews on this site can be misleading, seeing as so many HS seniors rely on sites like this to choose a college I figured I'd try to give some of them the perspective that I wish I had when I was in their shoes. I want to start off by emphasizing that if money is tight/you are planning on taking out loans to attend WPI, DO NOT GO HERE! The school is another private institution that forgot what it once was in favor of rapid growth and price hikes. After 3 years here I can't begin to understand how they justify the price they charge for the education they provide. Academics are adequate but don't be fooled by the admission packets and marketing material on their website. State schools that cost 1/4 of the price have comparable curriculum. There's nothing special about the "WPI Plan" and the "Project based" curriculum. The governance of this school is more than willing to let quality of instruction take a backseat as they work on growing their business.
WPI is great! Their quarter-based academic year combined with a mix of STEM and humanitarian classes, as well as a project based curriculum, results in well balanced, hard-working and productive students ready for the world.